Sony DMX-NV1 Bravia Internet Video Link review

It seems that within the past year or so every electronics company has tried mightily to connect us to internet content. But with all the options out there, it can be very difficult to figure out which is the best for you. So when the manufacturer of your TV makes a media streamer designed specifically for your set, you'd be crazy to not give it a look (at the very least). And with this in mind, we decided to spend some time with the Sony Bravia Link. It should go without saying that if you don't have a Sony HDTV, then you might as well read on to the next topic, but if you do, click through.

Bravia Link Review

The good

• Easy to install.
• TV Remote works great at navigating menus.
• Wide array of internet sources, like Amazon, Yahoo and CBS.
• PC to TV feature, which we couldn't get to work (context menu doesn't even come up for apple.com/trailers)
• Good looking UI, but not fantastic.

The bad

• No way to play you own video, pictures, or music.
• Couldn't figure out how to add our own links.
• Separate power supply required.
• Wires are way too long for mounting location.
• No Netflix or Hulu support.

Wrap-up
Although we don't have anything particularly bad to say about the Sony Bravia Link, we don't have anything good to say either. The problem is two fold: for starters, it really doesn't do that much, and second, it costs $200. So in other words, we don't see anyone but the most devout Sony fan even bothering with this. The really annoying thing is that the hardware is actually pretty nice, and the software is what's holding it back. The most glaring problem is the inability to enjoy your own content on your TV. It seems to us that this would be a no-brainer, and we can't understand why anyone would buy any media streamer that won't stream your own media. Of course, anyone who is a hardcore Sony fan likely owns a PS3, which means they can already do all of this and more. So really Sony, what's the point?

[daaper Posted Nov 19th 2008 2:00PM]

"The really annoying thing is that the hardware is actually pretty nice, and the software is what's holding it back."

Doesn't that seem to be the way with a lot of Sony's products? Just look at their mp3 players. Awesome features (like 3min charge for 3 hour use), but that stupid SonicStage sucked!

[chaboud Posted Nov 19th 2008 2:04PM]

Sonicstage has been gone for a long time. It's just drag-n-drop now.

[daaper Posted Nov 19th 2008 3:16PM]

True, but you know what I mean. How many years did people complain about that until they finally dropped it? I just bought one about a year ago and it still came with SonicStage.

On a side note, drag-n-drop must be only for their new models? I just went to their site and the only option for mine is still SonicStage. Anyone know anything about that?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 20th 2008 10:28PM]

"It seems to us that this would be a no-brainer, and we can't understand why anyone would buy any media streamer that won't stream your own media."

I thought this is because the TVs that this was designed for was already DNLA certified (well the ones I've seen), so making this device also DNLA would kind of be double dipping. Though, it would be nice to access the TV's DNLA capabilities through the device.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 27th 2008 11:40PM]

You can stream your own media. It just is not easy. You need a web server with the MP4 /MP3 files on your home network. Make a index page
with the links to the media (I used the IP of the server). Use the PC to TV function to load each link to the the TV (It really ends up on the sony server).
Not the best method, but I ripped Hancock from my DVD and it looked great at 1080I.